Africa’s gold and copper mining industry is booming, which is a favorable development for Kemira and its new application-oriented focus.

What?

In late 2008, Kemira decided to make a greater push to serve customers in Africa. The continent had witnessed a boom in its gold and copper mining business, and Kemira’s personnel could see the potential.

“The copper business in the region amounted to around EUR 10 billion in 2010 and is expected to double in the next five years. Gold is also in great demand and is estimated to be a EUR 22 billion business that is on an upward track,” says Tarmo Syväpuro, Regional Sales Manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Where?

Kemira’s strategy in Africa is to concentrate on targeted regions and companies where its product offering is ideally suited to meet customers’ needs. In late 2010, Kemira signed a contract with one of the largest mines in Africa.

Kemira offers its customers application expertise that meets specific needs. “We do not sell products but rather the effects of applying those products,” summarizes Mick Bower, Applications Manager at Minerals & Metals in Kemira’s Oil & Mining Segment. Bower is a technical expert who works closely with African customers to optimize plant performance. Delivering the products to customers is an important part of success on the continent. Typical products sold in Africa include flocculants, hydrogen peroxide, defoamers, antiscaling agents and inorganic coagulants.

How?

Rather than just selling products, Bower hopes to build lasting relationships by giving plant operators the tools that help them maximize output.

“Many African mines use a water-based leaching process to extract the copper, and our products are ideally suited for this type of mining process. So, it is a natural extension of Kemira’s business to target these customers,” he says. “We aim to tailor our applications to improve processes and performance.”

According to Bower, African gold mines are eager to recycle process water. “Coagulants and flocculants are used after extracting to ensure minimum water loss. Kemira’s Superfloc products and application expertise help customers return as much water as possible to the process,” Bower explains.

“We have retained a good company that handles local shipments, which is critical in this region,” says Syväpuro. He notes that it is about three thousand kilometers from the middle of Africa to the shore, which means serious distances from local harbors. “The keys to our success are solid applications know-how, good people, capable local agents and high-quality products that are delivered without delays,” Syväpuro stresses.

Facts:

• Africa is the principal producer of the world’s most important minerals and metals. About 30 percent of the world’s mineral resources are located in Africa.
• The mining industry in Africa is on a steady growth track.
• Kemira is targeting companies with processes suited to its products.
• Tailored applications seek to improve plant performance.
• Working with local agents ensures logistics needs are met.

Read more about Kemira’s offering to mining industry: >> Mining  

Text Satu Jussila
Photos 123 RF